Quote of the Day
“Maybe the best thing they could do is to get faster runners.”
-- Ari Fleischer Sports Communications President Ari Fleischer, on the Olympic torch protests (TORONTO STAR, 4/8).
Top Stories
Endless Summer
Olympic Torch Put Out
During Paris LegIf you are the IOC right now, what do you do? You likely cannot endure more press like you have received from the torch relay in London and Paris, and it possibly could get worse tomorrow in San Francisco. Do you scrap it altogether? Do you change the route? PR vet Howard Rubenstein said that Jacques Rogge should “quietly consider the prospect of postponing the Games.” Crisis communication expert Ari Fleischer feels cancelling the relay or discussing relocating the Games would be a mistake because “it would inflame the protesters.” It is getting ugly, with athletes who were torch runners saying the experience was “not pleasant.” There is even internal finger pointing, with outspoken IOC member Kevan Gosper saying he was always opposed to an extensive international route.
Slow Dance
CBS earns a 12.1/20 fast-national Nielsen rating for its coverage of NCAA men's basketball championship, down slightly from '07.
Hat Trick
Average NHL attendance jumps 1.8% from '06-07, up for third straight season.
What's The Frequency, Bruton?
ISC, SMI sue each other over radio broadcast rights to New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Game On-Line
ESPN planning to launch broadband-only shows, investing in new technology to boost Web video ad sales.
Time Is On Their Side
Bobcats sign arena naming rights deal with TWC, shifting TV to more accessible FSN South.
Has The Shine Already Worn Off?
Nationals, Marlins filled to less than half capacity for second game at Nationals Park.
Bay's Window
Writer feels new History Channel program is merely an ad for Cisco Field.
History Repeating
Seattle MLS fans choose Sounders FC as the expansion team's nickname.
